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Audioquest SKY rca loose connector (no fake cables)

Hi guys, I need your help.

I’m trying out a pair of Audioquest SKY rca (they’re original, first generation with 72 volts DBS) and all four RCA connectors are a little loose in the contact with the female RCA pin of my Audio Analogue Maestro preamp. I unscrewed the connectors and tried tightening two small screws that hold the negative side in contact with the outer collar, but nothing changed. Does anyone know how to make them more solid in contact?

iani
elliottbnewcombjr
7,818 posts
 

I changed all my RCA's to Locking Connectors

a. buy new cables with locking connectors

https://www.amazon.com/Tertullus-Braided-Interconnect-Subwoofer-Amplifiers/dp/B09P2M1BZQ/ref=sr_1_11?adgrpid=183288244221&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yN272dDtgqSNXquw_9dGjosdQd9DJ5h3jNpU2FjeUhlUIcLpnghXSViC67t9UQxbwTVi8WZ8Z6LLUVUPcP3TScC6Y3W4Tw6RiP2iZyaqTIHERUvRxGlWK9phdehbNdA7Ff_nIvk0Ur33ioa2scaxrGyItckCR5oC2hf5ecCecu-28U5YLyqMlq8ZNf9dfFfuSH4HC5OOX-IIgtCzf6pXoKiu2XpCV4jbi_q53ESK_4s.uKdGV0aAhY_FWWUjPX_QeuDyMOaIh7KxUjCGYI_kkVQ&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779577721882&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9003512&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=740556216386608439--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=740556216386608439&hvtargid=kwd-505416067390&hydadcr=17979_13794104_2331312&keywords=locking%2Brca%2Bconnectors&mcid=7d332736d9f136fc93d5d759320ca631&qid=1763999047&sr=8-11&th=1

b. modify your existing cables with these from Parts Express

https://www.parts-express.com/Locking-RCA-Plug-Solder-Type-2-Pair-091-1270?quantity=1

c. solderless type locking connectors, from AliExpress

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801893877569.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%217.56%216.80%21%21%21%21%21%40%2112000029717204695%21ppc%21%21%21&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=897-548-8760&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=770725507102&ds_e_matchtype=search&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=g&ds_e_product_group_id=2434959007667&ds_e_product_id=en3256801893877569&ds_e_product_merchant_id=107770233&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=22926986762&albag=185342673018&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22926986762&gbraid=0AAAAAoukrzi8zZE885NjhW4P2EQtxuhfy&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoZDJBhC0ARIsAERP-F8BtvP9quDJUxNdoFvjDMvxx7BIW4D5WV3aHYx3bQvFQI220hJvn5kaAomGEALw_wcB&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,818 posts
 

btw, your preamps female RCA might be slightly undersized, my McIntosh mx110z tube tuner/preamp had jacks that had been corroded/cleaned too many times, and Audio Classics replaced all the jack panels with new gold plated RCA that were tighter, I still changed to locking RCA connectors, it prevents the possibility of inadvertently disturbing a good connection which can unknowingly effect your system's balance.

iani OP
16 posts
 

Thanks for the suggestions; the fact is that Sky interconnect gen 1 has resistence welding terminations (8000 ampere for some milliseconds) and so it's impossible to change the rca connectors. 

For the undersized female rca connectors on my Audio Analogue Maestro preamp and/or Maestro 192-24 cd player: they were made in 2004, the connectors are gold plated, and I clean every year with a bit of IPA, they are not corroded. With other rca cables (Wireworld Eclipse 8, Straightwire Crescendo 1, JPS SC2 with WBT 0144 connectors and others), the effect of to loose rca feeling is less evident. IMHO the Sky, as for now, are underperforming; the sound is good but nothing special. The other cables I mentioned earlier all sound better. I don't know...

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